Molecular and Functional Characterization of the Odorant Receptor2 (OR2) in the Tiger Mosquito Aedes albopictus

In mosquitoes, the olfactory system plays a crucial role in many types of behavior, including nectar feeding, host preference selection and oviposition. Aedes albopictus, known also as the tiger mosquito, is an anthropophilic species, which in the last few years, due to its strong ecological plasticity, has spread throughout the world. Although long considered only a secondary vector of viruses, the potential of its vector capacity may constitute a threat to public health. Based on the idea that an improved understanding of the olfactory system of mosquitoes may assist in the development of control methods that interfere with their behavior, we have undertaken a study aimed at characterizing the A. albopictus Odorant Receptors. Here we report the identification, cloning and functional characterization of the AalOR2 ortholog, that represents the first candidate member of the odorant receptor (OR) family of proteins from A. albopictus. AalOR2 is expressed in the larval heads and antennae of adults. Our data indicate that A. albopictus OR2 (AalOR2) shares a high degree of identity with other mosquito OR2 orthologs characterized to date, confirming that OR2 is one of the most conserved mosquito ORs. Our data indicate that AalOR2 is narrowly tuned to indole, and inhibited by (-)-menthone. In agreement with this results, these two compounds elicit two opposite effects on the olfactory-based behavior of A. albopictus larvae, as determined through a larval behavioral assay. In summary, this work has led to the cloning and de-orphaning of the first Odorant Receptor in the tiger mosquito A. albopictus. In future control strategies this receptor may be used as a potential molecular target

Epithelial malignancies of the lacrimal gland: survival rates after extensive and conservative therapy

We reviewed 96 cases of lacrimal gland tumors, 20 patients had epithelial malignancies (11 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 7 carcinomas in pleiomorphic adenomas, 1 mucoepidermoid tumor, 1 adenocarcinoma, and 1 carcinoma in an epidermoid cyst). Classic computed tomographic scan changes associated with lacrimal gland malignancies were found in only 55% of cases. The median survival was 6.75 years in the seven patients treated with extensive surgery (orbital exenteration, possibly associated with osseous resections) and nine years in the 12 cases treated with eye-saving procedures (tumor excision, possibly followed by radiotherapy). Our data demonstrated that extensive surgery for lacrimal gland malignancies does not improve survival. Therefore, a therapeutic protocol is suggested, in which all suspected epithelial tumors (discriminated from inflammatory and lymphoid lesions by computed tomographic scan findings) undergo dacryoadenectomy, without a previous biopsy. Subsequently, in the case of carcinomas, the choice between extensive and eye-saving procedures is based on the extent and aggressiveness of the tumor and clinical findings

Colobomatous ocular cyst excision with globe preservation

Colobomatous ocular cyst is a rare malformation consisting of a cavity lined by neuroectodermic tissue and communicating with the vitreous cavity, generally associated with microphthalmos. The usual treatment for unsightly cases is enucleation and cyst excision, followed by prosthesis fitting. The authors treated a case of colobomatous ocular cyst associated with a mild microphthalmos by cyst excision and pedicle ligature, via a transconjunctival orbitotomy. The postoperative appearance was satisfactory. Pathology confirmed a thick fibrous wail with calcifications, lymphocytic infiltrates, and neruofilaments and internally lined by dysplastic retinal elements. A conservative approach is advised for colobomatous cysts associated with a globe almost normally in size, in order to avoid cosmetic complications associated with enucleation in childhood

Prognosis of orbital lymphoid hyperplasia

Background: Orbital lymphoid hyperplasia can be associated with systemic non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), even when polyclonal proliferation is found in the orbit. Although irradiation is recommended, some orbital lymphoid hyperplasias are treated by steroids (when inflammation is clinically presumed) or left untreated. Methods: The incidence of concurrent NHL and the incidence of future NHL after oral prednisone, radiotherapy, or no treatment were retrospectively evaluated in 33 cases of lymphoid hyperplasia (22 benign lymphoid hyperplasias, BLH, and 11 atypical lymphoid hyperplasias, ALH), after follow-up of 2-13 years. Results: NHL occurred in 12 of 33 cases (36.4%). In seven patients it was concurrent; in five patients it occurred 2-6 years later. In the actuarial curve, at 5 years 55% of patients were free of lymphoma, at 10 years, 46%. NHL was more commonly observed when the lacrimal gland was involved (57% vs 21%; P=0.03). Of the 13 patients treated with oral steroids, 46% had complete response, 39% partial response, and 15% future NHL. Of the seven irradiated patients, five (71%) had complete response, two (29%) partial response, and none future NHL. Of the eight untreated patients, five (63%) had partial response and three (37%) future NHL. Irradiated lacrimal gland BLHs only achieved partial response, one having radiation-induced orbital inflammation. Conclusion: Because of a high risk of NHL, in all orbital lymphoid tumors systemic staging and follow-up are mandatory. The advised management is irradiation, except for Sjogren syndrome, an initially inflammatory lacrimal gland BLH, where a course of steroid is suggested before considering radiotherapy

Primary and secondary orbital melanomas: a clinical and prognostic study

The clinical, radiologic, and histologic features of 14 cases of orbital melanoma are reviewed. Two cases were presumed to be primary orbital melanomas because no primary pigmented lesion was found in the globe, conjunctiva, or skin. Five cases originated from a conjunctival melanoma, one case from an eyelid cutaneous melanoma, and the remaining six patients had extrascleral extension of a choroidal melanoma. Four patients at the time of first diagnosis already had extraorbital metastases (one patient with extrascleral extension of a choroidal melanoma also had a metastasis to the opposite orbit). The median time interval between diagnosis and metastasis was 14 months. Patients without metastatic disease received radical surgery (partial or total orbital exenteration, in addition to regional lymph node resection if indicated) or conservative treatment (tumor excision plus chemotherapy and interferon). Log-rank test showed an equally poor prognosis for both groups (median time to metastasis was, respectively, 19.5 and 8 months), with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The authors' reconstructive techniques (dermis-fat grafting and transplantation of temporalis muscle) following partial- and total orbital exenteration are described

Mri In Graves Orbitopathy - Recognition of Enlarged Muscles and Prediction of Steroid-response

The purpose of this study is to compare MRI to CT in the recognition of Graves orbitopathy and to compare MRT to clinical examination in the prediction of steroid response. Sixteen patients with dysthyroid orbitopathy (21 orbits) were examined by CT and MRI; muscle enlargement was measured by ultrasonography. Sensitivity in recognizing enlarged muscles was 85.4% for CT and 61.2% for MRI; CT recognized all affected orbits but 1, while MRI failed in 4 cases. Clinical inflammatory signs (p = 0.17) were more reliable predictors of steroid response than muscular T-2 hyperintensity on MRI (p = 0.64). In a patient where histological examination documented edematous changes, MRI failed to reveal edema. MRI adds no morphologic information to CT; moreover, T-2 intensity is less specific than clinical examination in documenting active disease and forecasting therapeutic outcome

Anatomia dell'orbita

Il capitolo consiste in un breve outline dell'anatomia dell'orbita propedeutico per i successivi capitoli del volum